Seating Strings: Putting it to Rest/Out of It's Misery

[William R. Monroe]

Thanks for elaborating this Ric.  Helpful to anyone who has not read your 
article.

William R. Monroe



> Yes... and as soon as the any part of the bridge surface, in particular 
> the leading edge, lies under the strings deflection line (determined by 
> the downbearing angle and the highest point on the bridge) then the string 
> will no longer be able to maintain solid contact with the bridge for more 
> then a very short period of time...  exactly the opposite effect of the 
> stated goal of string seating to begin with.
>
> My last little experiment with bridge pins would indicate that they are 
> able to maintain the strings position (horizontal orientation) on the 
> bridge pins to a greater degree then some, if not many, might imagine. 
> They would especially be able to do on the grand piano this with strings 
> in an unseated condition (regardless of cause) because the primary and by 
> far greatest pulse is essentially an upwards force.  I would suspect on a 
> vertical the opposite would be true. That said... the window for the 
> strings stable horizontal position on the string is small, and a negative 
> bearing condition for the leading edge of bridges string path  is under no 
> circumstances a desirable.
>
> Cheers
> RicB
>
>
>
> Gregor,
>
> Quite simply the disadvantage to "seating strings" is that when one 
> presses too hard on the strings, one creates deeper and deeper string 
> groves/indentations in the bridge surface.
>
> William R. Monroe
>
>